Apparatus and method for baggage check and promotional advertisement

ABSTRACT

A luggage tag system includes a main portion comprising an elongated portion for forming a loop to attach the luggage tag system to a piece of luggage; a removable portion detachable from the main portion; a unique serial number provided on both the main portion and the removable portion; an area of the removable portion comprising a printed coupon or prize indicator; and an adhesive panel covering the area to prevent the area from being seen until the adhesive panel is removed. Any portion of the adhesive panel that is separated from the removable portion of the tag system loses its ability to adhere to the removable portion so that premature removal of the adhesive panel, in whole or in part, is detectable.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 from previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/185,262which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 from previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/044,087, filedMar. 9, 2011, which is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 from previous U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/069,183,filed Feb. 6, 2008 and entitled “Apparatus and Method for baggage checkand promotional advertisement,” which previous application claimed thepriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/899,775, entitled “Apparatus and Method for a Baggage Check andPromotional Advertisement,” filed Feb. 6, 2007, and to U.S. ProvisionalApplication, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Baggage Check andPromotional Advertisement,” filed Nov. 2, 2007, Ser. No. 61/001,776. Allthe previous applications listed above are hereby incorporated byreference in their respective entireties.

BACKGROUND

Hotels, casinos and the like go to various efforts to promote shows orrestaurants or other forms of entertainment owned, produced or operatedby the hotels or casinos or in partnership with other hotels or casinosor related organizations. Oftentimes, substantial amounts of money areexpended toward these efforts with the ultimate goal being to coax orencourage consumers to a particular destination either within or nearbythe hotel or casino. The present specification provides a means toaccomplish this objective simply and inexpensively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principlesdescribed herein and are a part of the specification. The illustratedexamples are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 depicts a first side of an example of a luggage tag system havingluggage ownership identifying information or space therefore andscratch-surface panels for promotional advertising;

FIG. 2 depicts a second side of an example of a luggage tag systemhaving further luggage ownership identifying information printedthereon;

FIG. 3 depicts a first side of a further example of a luggage tag systemhaving a scratch surface;

FIG. 4 depicts a second side of the example disclosed in FIG. 3 having aportion for providing luggage ownership information thereon;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross sectional view of the two layer flexible vinylsubstrate used in making the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 depicts a further cross sectional view of the two layer flexiblevinyl substrate used in making the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4with the inclusion of kiss-cuts and scratch layer;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross sectional view of an apparatus for preparing oneexample of the luggage tags from pre-prepared stock; and

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the example disclosed in FIGS. 3and 4 shown attached to a luggage case.

FIG. 9 depicts another luggage tag system according to a further exampleof the principles disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a process for redeeming a prize orcoupon obtained from a luggage tag system according to principlesdisclosed herein.

FIG. 11 depicts a system for performing the method illustrated in FIG.10.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification concerns apparatus and methods for use by hotels,casinos and the like to identify ownership of luggage and to providepromotional advertisement. Referring, for example, to FIGS. 1 and 2, aluggage tag 10 is illustrated. The luggage tag 10 includes a generallyflat substrate 12 having a first surface 20 and a second surface 30.Generally speaking, the first surface 20 comprises a front side of theflat substrate 12 while the second surface 30 comprises aback oropposite side of the flat substrate 12. The flat substrate 12 of theluggage tag 10 can be constructed using any suitable material, such as,for example, plastic, paper, vinyl or cardboard, or a combinationthereof.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methodsmay be practiced without these specific details. Reference in thespecification to “an example” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described is includedin at least that one example, but not necessarily in other examples.

Referring particularly to FIG, 1, the first surface 20 includes a firstportion 22 for printing ownership identifying information. The ownershipidentifying information includes generally the owner's name, the numberof pieces of luggage and any additional information that is helpful intracking or delivering the luggage—e.g., the room number of the ownerwhile a guest at a hotel or casino. An identification serial number 23and, if desired, a corresponding variable barcode 24, is printed on theluggage tag for further identifying purposes.

The first surface 20 further includes a second portion 26 that isremovably connected to the first portion 22 through a perforated segment27 allowing the first section 22 and second section 26 to be separated.A first scratch surface 40 is provided on the first portion 22 and asecond scratch surface 42 is provided on the second portion 26. Thefirst 40 and second 42 scratch surfaces cover printed informationconcerning a promotional advertisement, and serve to keep theinformation hidden prior to the scratch surfaces being scratched away bya user's fingernail or coin or the like. Referring to FIG. 2, the secondsurface 30 includes one or more identifying labels 32. The identifyinglabels 32 are preferably kiss-cut and removably attached to the secondsurface 30.

In one example, a method for identifying ownership of luggage andproviding a promotional advertisement is disclosed. Specifically, uponarrival by a guest at a hotel or casino, a luggage tag 10 is obtained bya hotel or casino employee. Information concerning the name of the guestand the number of pieces of luggage is noted on the first portion 22 ofthe luggage tag 10, along with the room number or cell phone number orother pertinent identifying information. Luggage identifying labels 32are then detached from the second surface 30 of the luggage tag 10 andremoveably attached to the individual pieces of luggage, which arethereafter transported to the guest's room by a bellhop or other hotelor casino employee. The second portion 26 of the luggage tag is thenseparated from the first portion 22 by tearing along the perforatedsegment 27. The second portion 26 is provided to the guest and the firstportion 22 is provided to the bellhop.

Following arrival and check-in of luggage, the guest may proceed to hisor her room or where they might otherwise desire. At the same time orthereafter, the luggage is transported to the guest's room and the firstportion 22 of the luggage tag 10 is left with the delivered luggage orat a suitable location where the guest may locate the first portion 22.The guest may then scratch away the first 40 and second 42scratch-surface portions, thereby revealing or exposing first 50 andsecond 52 printed promotional materials previously blocked from view bythe scratch-surfaces. In an example, if both the first 50 and second 52printed promotional materials match, then the guest wins whatever isbeing advertised by the first 50 and second 52 printed promotionalmaterial—e.g., a ticket or tickets to a show or dinner at a restaurant.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a further example is disclosed.Specifically, a luggage tag 50 includes a substrate 53 having a firstsurface 52 and a second surface 54. Generally speaking, the firstsurface 52 comprises a front side of the substrate 53 while the secondsurface 54 comprises a back or opposite side of the substrate 53. Thesubstrate 53 of the luggage tag 50 can be constructed using any suitablematerial, such as, for example, plastic, paper, vinyl or cardboard, or acombination thereof.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the first surface 52 includes a firstportion 56 and a second portion 60. The first portion 56 and the secondportion 60 are separable by a perforated segment 62. The first portion56 of the first surface 52 includes space for one or more identifyinglabels 58. Each identifying label 58 preferably includes a uniqueidentifying serial number 57 (e.g., “10007” as illustrated) and, ifdesired, a corresponding barcode (not illustrated) for identifyingpurposes. Alternatively, each identifying label may include simply a barcode. The identifying labels 58 are preferably kiss-cut and removablyattached to the first surface 52. The unique identifying serial number57 is, preferably, also printed elsewhere on the first surface 52 at alocation—e.g., location “61”—where it does not interfere with theidentifying labels 58. The first portion 56 also includes space for ascratch surface 64. The scratch surface 64 covers information printedunderneath thereof on the first surface 56 concerning a promotionaladvertisement or solicitation, and serves to keep the information hiddenprior to the scratch surface being scratched away by a user's fingernailor coin or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second surface 54 includes a first portion 66and a second portion 67. The first portion 66 and the second portion 67are separable by a perforated segment, preferably the same perforatedsegment 62 referred to above. The first portion 66 of the second surface54 includes space for printing various identifying informationincluding, for example, ownership identifying information 80. Theownership identifying information 80 includes generally the owner'sname, the number of pieces of luggage and any additional informationthat is helpful in tracking or delivering the luggage—e.g., the roomnumber of the owner while a guest at a hotel or casino. The ownershipidentifying information 80 is printed at a suitable location—e.g.,location “69”—on the first portion 66 of the second surface 54. Thefirst portion 66 of the second surface 54 further includes space forprinting additional information—e.g., a disclaimer—relating to thepromotional advertisement appearing under the scratch surface 64 locatedon the second portion 60 of the first surface 52 of the luggage tag 50.The same additional information may, if desired, be printed on thesecond portion 67 of the second surface 54, The unique identifyingserial number 57 and, if desired, a corresponding barcode 72, is also beprinted on the second portion 67 of the second surface 54 for furtheridentifying purposes. Preferably, the first portion 66 and the secondportion 67 of the second surface 54 are separable using the perforatedsegment 62—i.e., the same perforated segment used to separate the firstportion 56 and the second portion 60 of the first surface 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, further details of an example similar tothat just discussed are disclosed. Referring to FIG. 5, for example, theflat substrate 53 is constructed from a substrate stock having, in crosssection, a first layer 91 and a second layer 92. The first layer 91includes a vinyl sheet having an adhesive underside 94 and a topside 95suitable for lithographic printing. The second layer 92 includes a vinylsheet having an adhesive receiving underside 96 and a topside 97suitable for lithographic printing. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, thefirst surface 52 of the flat substrate 53 corresponds to the topside 95of the first layer 91 and the second surface 54 of the flat substrate 53corresponds to the topside 97 of the second layer 92. A suitabledual-layer flexible vinyl substrate as described herein and above may bepurchased from Fasson®. The substrate may be purchased on either rollsor sheets suitable for use with lithographic processing techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 and to FIGS. 3 and 4 where appropriate,the first layer 91 includes the first portion 56 and the second portion60 of the first surface 52. The topside 95 of the first layer 91includes a suitable space at the first portion 56—e.g., location“61”—for printing the unique identifying serial number 57 (e.g., “10007”as illustrated). The first layer 91 further includes one or moreidentifying labels 58. The identifying labels 58 each include the uniqueidentifying serial number 57 or bar code (not illustrated) printed onthe topside 95. The identifying labels 58 are preferably sectioned bykiss-cuts 90 extending through the first layer 91 and removably attachedto the second layer 92 by the adhesive underside 94 of the first layer91. The first portion 56 and the second portion 60 of the first layer 91are separable through the perforation segment 62. The scratch surface 64is provided on the topside 95 of the first layer 91 at a suitable spaceat the second portion 60. The unique identifying serial number 57 is,preferably, also printed on the on the topside 95 of the first layer 91at the second portion 60 in an area not obscured by the scratch surface64. In one example, the scratch surface 64 comprises a grey ultravioletlayer that may be applied using standard techniques know to those havingskill in the art, In a thither example, the scratch surface 64 comprisesa grey ultraviolet layer 64A applied on top of a previously appliedclear ultraviolet layer 64B. The clear ultraviolet layer 64B serves toprotect the promotional advertisement, solicitation or other printedinformation from being scratched away during the process of removing thescratch surface 64 by a user's fingernail or coin or the like.

Referring still to FIGS. 3-6, the second layer 92 includes the firstportion 66 and the second portion 67 of the second surface 54. Thetopside 97 of the second layer 92 includes a suitable space at the firstportion 66—e.g., location “69”—for printing the ownership identifyinginformation 80 and the disclaimer relating to the promotionaladvertisement appearing under the scratch surface 64. The first portion66 and the second portion 67 of the second layer 92 are separablethrough the perforation segment 62. The topside 97 of the second layer92 at the second portion 67 includes space for printing additionalinformation—e.g., the disclaimer referred to above—and, in addition, theunique identifying serial number 57. If desired, a barcode 72corresponding to the unique identifying serial number 57 is also printedon the topside 97 of the second layer 92 at the second portion 67 foridentifying purposes. The second layer 92 further includes first 82 andsecond 83 removable portions that are defined and sectioned by first 84,second 85 and third 86 kiss-cut segments extending through the layer.The first 82 and second 83 removable portions are removed from thesecond layer 92 thereby exposing corresponding portions of the adhesiveunderside 94 of the first layer 91 that can be secured to one another soas to form a loop securable about a luggage handle or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 7, one example of a process for applying thescratch surface 64 and performing the kiss-cutting and additionalcutting operations to a substrate is disclosed. Specifically, acontinuous feed of flexible vinyl substrate 200 similar to the two-layersubstrate described above is fed to a processing apparatus 201. Theprocessing apparatus 201 comprises a clear ultraviolet coatingapplicator 202, a grey ultraviolet coating applicator 204, akiss-cutting device 206 and a die cutting device 208. In one example,the flexible vinyl substrate 200 has previously undergone lithographicprocessing and has imprinted thereon a series of luggage tags having oneor more of the various segments of printed information described aboveapplied to the topside 95 of the first layer 91 and the topside 97 ofthe second layer 92. The substrate 200 then passes through the clearultraviolet coating applicator 202 where a clear ultraviolet coating 64Bis applied to a suitable space of the second portion 60 as described andillustrated above—see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 6. Following application of theclear ultraviolet layer 64B, the substrate 200 then passes through thegrey ultraviolet coating applicator 204 where a grey ultraviolet coating64A is applied to the suitable space of the second portion 60 asdescribed and illustrated above. In an alternative example, only oneapplicator is employed to apply only the grey ultraviolet coating.

Following application of the grey ultraviolet coating or both the clearand grey ultraviolet coatings, the substrate 200 then passes through thekiss-cutting device 206, where both layers of the substrate 200 arekiss-cut in the positions indicated in, for example, FIG. 6, includingthe perforated segment 62. The kiss-cutting operation leaves thesubstrate 200 and the layers 91, 92 comprising the substrate stillintact. At this point, the kiss-cut substrate 207 passes through adie-cutting device 208. The die-cutting device 208 is configured to cutthrough both layers 91, 92 of the substrate 200 in a pattern that yieldsthe final luggage tag 50 product, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.3 and 4. As the substrate passes through the die-cutting apparatus 208and is die-cut, the cut luggage tags 50 are collectably received in amanner known by those having skill in the art—e.g., in a stack 211adjacent the die-cutting device 208. The remainder of the substrate 200is then passed to a collecting device—e.g., a roll (notillustrated)—where the remainder is collected for disposal.

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the above describedprocess may occur in “single row-series,” where a single row of luggagetags 50 is imprinted on the substrate 200 and processed with theultraviolet layer(s), kiss-cut and then die-cut, or in “parallelrow-series,” where parallel rows of luggage tags 50 are imprinted on thesubstrate 200 processed with the ultraviolet layer(s), kiss-cut and thendie-cut.

In one example of use, a method for identifying ownership of luggage andproviding a promotional advertisement is disclosed. Referring, forexample, to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, upon arrival by a guest at a hotel orcasino, a luggage tag 50 is obtained by a hotel or casino employee.Information concerning the name of the guest and the number of pieces ofluggage is noted on the second portion 67 of the second surface 54 ofthe luggage tag 50, along with the room number or cell phone number orother pertinent identifying information of the guest or theidentification number of the employee. The first 82 and second 83removable portions are removed from the second layer 92 thereby exposingcorresponding portions of the adhesive underside 94 of the first layer91. Referring now to FIG. 7, the luggage tag 50 is then looped through ahandle 101 or strap of a luggage piece 100 followed by the now exposedcorresponding portions of the adhesive underside 94 being secured to oneanother, thereby forming a loop 102 preventing removal of the luggagetag 50 from the luggage piece 100. Luggage identifying labels 58 arethen detached from the first layer 91 of the luggage tag 50 and securedusing the adhesive underside 94 to the handles or other suitablelocations of any other individual pieces of luggage. Each piece ofluggage is thus uniquely identified for transport to the guest's room bya bellhop or other hotel or casino employee.

Following the securing of the luggage tag 50 and labels 58 to theguest's luggage pieces, the luggage tag 50 is separated into a first tagportion 105 and a second tag portion 106 by tearing the perforationsegment 62 that extends through both the first 91 and second 92 layersof the luggage tag 50. The first tag portion 105 remains secured to theluggage piece 100 while the second tag portion 106 is handed to theowner of the luggage piece 100. The owner may then, at his or herconvenience, remove the scratch surface 64, thereby revealing aprize—e.g., a ticket or tickets to a show or dinner at a restaurant orother promotional item.

FIG. 9 depicts another luggage tag system according to a further exampleof the principles disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 9, the luggage tag50 is similar to the examples described above. A unique serial number 57is replicated on both a first portion 56 and a second or removableportion 60 of the tag 50.

The removable portion 60 may also include a bar code 72 (FIG. 4) thatencodes the unique serial number 57 for the tag 50. This bar code may beplaced on either the front or rear surface of the removable portion 60of the tag. The first portion 56 may also include a copy of the barcode.

The removable portion 60 also includes a coupon or prize identifier 92.In some examples, this feature 92 of the removable portion 60 is acoupon that can be redeemed for a reduced price or other deal for goodsor services. These goods or services may be provided by the samefacility issuing the luggage tag 50 to a patron or by an affiliatedbusiness or enterprise that wishes to advertise to the patrons of thefacility issuing the tag 50. In other examples, this feature 92 of theremovable portion 60 simply identifies a prize that will be awarded tothe recipient of the tag when appropriately presented to the facilityissuing the tag 50 or an affiliated business or enterprise that isoffering the prize.

In either case, the feature 92 can be a graphic or picture, with orwithout accompanying text, that illustrates the prize or goods orservices being offered. The graphic or picture may be in color. In otherexamples, the feature 92 may contain only text naming or describing theprize or goods or services being offered.

In previous examples, this feature 92 is covered by a scratch-offmaterial that is opaque and must be removed before the feature 92becomes visible. In the example of FIG. 9, by contrast, the feature 92is initially covered and Obscured by an opaque adhesive panel 90. Thepanel may have a label printed on the outward surface. In the example ofFIG. 9, this label bears the words “CLEAN REDEEM.”

As shown in FIG. 9, the panel 90 is removed by, for example, turningdown a corner 91 of the panel and pealing the panel 90 off of theremovable portion 60 of the luggage tag 50. Once the panel 90 isremoved, the feature 92 representing the coupon or prize identifier isrevealed to the patron.

The adhesive panel 90 is made so that, once it is separated in anyamount from the tag 50, the portion of the panel 90 pealed away from theluggage tag 50 loses its adhesive quality and will no longer adhere tothe removable portion 60 of the luggage tag 50. This may beaccomplished, for example, with a static electric charge that is part ofthe adhesive system securing the panel 90 to the removable portion 60.Once the panel 90 is separated in any degree, the charge is dissipated,and the panel 90 loses its ability to adhere to the tag 50.

This prevents anyone from secretly tampering with, or revealing, thecoupon or prize identifier 92 prior to the tag 50 being received by alegitimate patron of the facility issuing the tag and the panel 90 beingremoved by that patron as intended. If any such premature, unauthorizeduse occurs, it will be evident from the panel's lack of adhesion to thetag. This control of the process will be further described with respectto FIGS. 10 and 11.

In some examples, the base construction of the material used for theadhesive panel 90 is a 0.75 mil clear film that has a solid coat ofpermanent adhesive on one side. Laminated to the top side of that filmis another 0.75 mil clear film. The top layer of film is a pattern coatof special adhesive that allows the two ply's of film to separate. Theresulting 1.5 mil film construction is laminated to a 40 lb, siliconecoated liner.

After the printing process, on that construction, the film is laminatedwith a 0.95 mil polypropylene clear laminating film that is coated withpermanent adhesive. The total construction of the finished product is2.45 mils thick,

The printing process is Flexo utilizing ultra-violet inks andphotopolymer plates. The adhesive panel 90 is printed using three printdecks on the press. As the base 2 mil web travels through the press thefirst print deck prints a specific sized solid block of PMS 87 SilverScratch OFF UV ink. The second print deck applies another hit of thesame size block with the same ink as the first pass printed. This isdone for the opacity needed for the adhesive panel 90. In the thirdprint deck, the black copy is printed. The 2 mil web, printed with thetwo colors using three plates, is then laminated with the 1 mil clearpolypropylene film. The print on the label is now sandwiched between twolayers of film, The finished printed and laminated construction is thendie cut to a rectangular shape.

The finished adhesive panel 90 is then applied over the picture or prizeindicator on the front of the Lucky Luggage Tag 50 on removable portion60. When the tag 50 is used the adhesive panel 90 can be easily peeledaway and removed from the removable portion 60 of the tag 50. Since theopaque silver ink in the adhesive panel 90 has been sandwiched betweentwo layers of film, as described above, there is not the mess of the inkusually associated with scratch off tickets.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a process for redeeming a prize orcoupon obtained from a luggage tag system according to principlesdisclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 10, the method begins when a luggagetag, such as that described above in connection with FIG. 9, is issuedto a patron. This is typically done to identify that patron's luggageand baggage as it is moved from the point of entry to the patron's roomor suite. At this point, referring to FIG. 9, the patron may detach theremovable portion 60 of the tag 50 so that the patron has a record ofthe unique serial number 57 being used to identify his or her luggage.

The patron may also want to see what coupon or prize he or she hasreceived as the recipient of that particular luggage tag 50.Consequently, the patron then removes the panel 90 from the tag 50. Ifthe panel 90 has been tampered with or removed previously, this will beevident from the lack of adhesion between the panel 90 and the tag.

Returning to FIG. 10, the patron exposes 150 the concealed area of theremovable portion 60 of the tag 50 by removing the panel 90. In someexamples, only fraction of the luggage tags used will provide a prize orcoupon to the recipient patron. In other examples, every tag 50 used bythe facility may provide a prize or coupon to the recipient patron.

Next, the patron presents (151) the removable portion 60 of the tag 50to either the facility that issued the tag 50 or an affiliated businessto redeem the prize or coupon offer.

As a means of controlling whether the tag 50 has been legitimatelyreceived by a patron of the facility issuing the tag, the status of thepatron is confirmed. When the luggage tags 50 are first provided topatrons, for example, when the patron is checking into the facility,such as a hotel, casino, cruise ship, etc., the unique serial number 57is entered into the facilities electronic guest records in associationwith the patron's record as a guest of the facility.

At the time that the coupon or prize identifier of the removable portion60 is being redeemed, the unique serial number 57 from the removableportion of the tag is entered (152) into the facility's computer systemby personnel assisting the patron with redemption of the coupon or prizeidentifier. This may be done by entering the unique serial number 57into the computer system by means of a keyboard or by scanning a barcodeon the removable portion 60 of the tag 50 with a barcode reader.

The computer system then checks the number to see if that unique serialnumber is, in fact, associated with a record for a current guest of thefacility. If this is the case, as determined in block 153 of FIG. 10,the patron is given the benefit of the coupon or awarded the indicatedprize 154.

If the person presenting the coupon or prize identifier is not a currentpatron of the facility, then the coupon or prize identifier isconsidered void 155. In this case, the facility may wish to investigatewhether someone is attempting to fraudulently redeem the prize indicatoror coupon contrary to the rules under which the luggage tags 50 aredistributed.

FIG. 11 depicts a system for performing the method illustrated in FIG.10. As shown in FIG. 11, a barcode reader 161 can be used to capture theunique serial number from a removable portion 60 of a luggage tag, asdescribed herein, that is being presented to redeem the coupon or toreceive the prize indicated. The data from the reader 161 is transmittedby the reader to a computer terminal 162. The connection 166 between thereader 161 and the computer terminal 162 may be wired or wireless.Alternatively, the unique serial number may be input directly to thecomputer terminal 162 using a keyboard, keypad, touch screen or otherdata entry device.

The computer terminal 162 may be operated by the same facility thatissued the luggage tag 50 or an affiliated business entity that isoffering prizes, goods or services to recipients of the luggage tags 50from the main facility. In any event, the computer terminal 162 contactsa server 163 supporting a database 164. In sonic examples, the database164 may be located on the computer terminal 162 itself. The connection165 between the terminal 162 and the server 163 may include a Local AreaNetwork or a larger network, such as the Internet.

The database 164 identifies all current guests or patrons of thefacility that issues the luggage tags 50. The database 164 alsoassociates the unique serial number of a luggage tag 50 with the recordof the patron to whom that tag was issued. As described above withregard to FIG. 10, if the unique serial number is not associated with acurrent guest record, the coupon or prize indicator may be held invalid.The computer terminal 162 will display whether the unique serial numberentered or captured corresponds to a current guest record so thatpersonnel assisting customers can respond accordingly.

In some examples, the guest may be given a limited amount of time afterchecking out of the facility that issued the tag 50 to still redeem thecoupon or collect the prize indicated. The enterprise redeeming thecoupon or prize indicator may further require the person having theremovable portion 60 of the tag 50 to present identification verifyingthat they are the guest to whom the luggage tag 50 with thecorresponding unique serial number was issued.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe examples and examples of the principles described. Thisdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theseprinciples to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising; upon presentation of aremovable portion of a luggage tag, where the removable portion includesa printed coupon or prize identifier, determining whether a uniqueserial number on said removable portion of said luggage tag isassociated with a current guest record of a facility that issues suchluggage tags.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said coupon or prizeidentifier is void if said unique serial number is not associated with acurrent guest record.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisinghonoring a coupon on said removable portion of said luggage tag if saidunique serial number is associated with a current guest record of afacility that issues such luggage tags.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising awarding a prize indicated by a prize indicator onsaid removable portion of said luggage tag if said unique serial numberis associated with a current guest record of a facility that issues suchluggage tags.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning abarcode on said removable portion of said luggage tag, said barcodeencoding said unique serial number.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid luggage tag comprises: a main portion comprising an elongatedportion for forming a loop to attach said luggage tag system to a pieceof luggage; said removable portion, which is detachable from said mainportion; said unique serial number provided on both said main portionand said removable portion; an area of said removable portion comprisingsaid printed coupon or prize indicator; an adhesive panel covering saidarea to prevent said area from being seen until said adhesive panel isremoved; wherein any portion of said adhesive panel that is separatedfrom said removable portion of said tag system loses its ability toadhere to said removable portion so that premature removal of saidadhesive panel, in whole or in part, is detectable.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said adhesive panel is adhered to said removableportion of said tag, at least in part, by a static electric charge thatis dissipated when said adhesive panel is separated from said removableportion of said tag.
 8. A system comprising: a data entry device forentering a unique serial number from a removable portion of a luggagetag, where the removable portion includes a printed coupon or prizeidentifier, a computer programmed to determine whether the unique serialnumber on said removable portion of said luggage tag is associated witha current guest record of a facility that issues such luggage tags. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein said data entry device comprises abarcode reader for reading a barcode encoding said unique serial number,said barcode being printed on said removable portion of said luggagetag.
 10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a connection to aserver supporting a database of all current guest records of saidfacility, each guest record being associated with a unique serialnumbers from a luggage tag issued to a corresponding guest.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8, further comprising said luggage tag, said luggage tagcomprising: a main portion comprising an elongated portion for forming aloop to attach said luggage tag system to a piece of luggage; aremovable portion detachable from said main portion; a unique serialnumber provided on both said main portion and said removable portion; anarea of said removable portion comprising a printed coupon or prizeindicator; an adhesive panel covering said area to prevent said areafrom being seen until said adhesive panel is removed; wherein anyportion of said adhesive panel that is separated from said removableportion of said tag system loses its ability to adhere to said removableportion so that premature removal of said adhesive panel, in whole or inpart, is detectable.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said adhesivepanel is adhered to said removable portion of said tag, at least inpart, by a static electric charge that is dissipated when said adhesivepanel is separated from said removable portion of said tag.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein said computer indicates that said coupon orprize identifier is void if said unique serial number is not associatedwith a current guest record.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein saidcomputer indicates that said coupon or prize identifier is valid it saidunique serial number is associated with a current guest record.